New life in Austria

A completely new chapter has begun in the life of the Norwegian goalkeeper Terese Pedersen. After leaving the Danish Randers, she joined one of the most traditional European top clubs, Hypo Niederösterreich.

The 29-year old Pedersen, who played 75 internationals for Norway, divides her time on the court with Petra Blazek and Olga Sanko. Her first CL game of the season was successful in Aalborg as she saved the Austrian goal in the second half as her team won 36-30. “It was nice to be back in Denmark and meet friends,” she says about her debut.

Eurohandball.com: Champions League groups can be easily decided by an away win. Now you have good chances…

Terese Pedersen: It helps a lot to start with two points taken from an away court. Now we have a home match this weekend and if we can collect those two points as well then our situation will be promising. I still think we have a strong group, but I believe we can go on from that.

Eurohandball.com: Hypo are among the CL favourites every year. What do you think this season?

Terese Pedersen: I think it is very difficult to say much at such an early stage. After all, we only played one match and I’m still uncertain about the qualities of other teams. Many teams reduced their squads due to the financial crisis and that holds true for us as well. We have quite a few players who have to play sixty minutes every time and during a long season it will be difficult to say what that will mean.

Eurohandball.com: This is your first season at Hypo.

Terese Pedersen: It is a bit different from what I was used to. The trainings are also a bit different, but I have already fit in the team. I really enjoy being here.

Eurohandball.com: What does it mean for you that you also play the Regional League, another strong competition at the same time?

Terese Pedersen: It makes us stronger. We cannot just play in Austria, because that league is not strong enough. It’s good to meet the top teams from the Balkan region.